Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-07-16
ADDITIONAL LOCAL ITEMS

hO OOOs%NA1 PANo
James S. Grant, visiting here last
week, with questions concerning his
new home-Asheville, N. C. Before
returning he left MSS. with us, of
which the following paragraphs are
copy:
Asheville is the metropolis of western
North Carolina and the seat of Buncombe,
which county was formed in 1871 from Burke
and Randolph, lying Immediately west of the
Blue Ridge and the centre of the transmon-
tame section, occupying beautiful rolling
country down the Salamanca and French
Broad rivers, which streams water it freely,
and along the valleys of which are found
thousands of acres of very rich land.
Asheville, in the very heart of the Allegha-
ny mountains, situated at the confluence of
the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers,
among the foothills of the Black mountain
range, thirteen peaks of which pierce the
clouds at an altitude above that of Mount
Washington, is prominently resort intend
ed by nature for the invalid and tourist.
Placed at an elevation of 2,400 feet above the
sea, in charming valley with GENIAL soft
yCI III lllc lHlttSJ Vi
ing scenery, this town has always been a
place of great resort in summer as well as in
winter. By day in the summer the streets are
crowded with private equipages, parties on
horseback or in buggies enjoying excursions
in the beautiful vicinity or going on to other
resorts. At night the hotels are gay with
music and dancing. and all goes ''merry as a
marriage bell" The citizens are cordial and
hospitable, and at all times ready to oblige
strangers and assist them in their plans.
In concluding his paper on western
North Carolina as q Health Resort" DR..
Marcy says:
The pure air, water and climate hold out a
hopeful helpfulness to invalids from every
land. The wise legislator, seeking far
reaching results, would do well to consider
the ACCESSIBILITY of securing under State con-
troll large reservation of the higher ranges as
park. It's cost at present would be merely
nominal. Like the peaks and glaciers of
Switzerland, its indirect returns of moment
airy gain would be more sure than bonded
interest, and its sanitary advantages would be
ola value incalculable to millions yet unborn.
As to the scenery of western North Carolina
the whole earth offers nothing more fertile Or
more lovely. A country dame on her first
visit to the sea, looking over its vastness and
mentally contrasting it with the pent-up
Utica that hitherto had contracted her powers,
exclaimed
Pm glad to see something that there is
enough OFF,
No doubt one passing along the Western
North Carolina railroad might make similar
exclamation on beholding natures grand and
impressive scenery which lies everywhere
nd ,,,;t
us not the scene magnificent?
Beauty nowhere owes to mountains
Lovelier haunts than these"
The romancer's pen and the artists pencil
have already portrayed with equal beauty the
scenery of western North Carolina. This
lovely Gland of the sky has been a theme
for many years past, and SO it will be for
many years to come Beautiful in pctu-
rescue loveliness, grand and imposing in
majesty, awe-insplring in natural, rugged
beauty, and simply wonderful, in all its char
acter, the western section of the State can
never be appreciated until it is seen and ira
versed. Here upon every height lies rcpose
and every landscape extends silent invita-
ton to the sojourner to stay and enjoy its
rest. Here the majestic forest seems to have
"a harp for every wind
voice for every sky"
Here in the hot and sultry days of summer,
among natures grand old peaks, with their
5000 feet Of altitude, one is refreshed by
"The winds stealing gently through the
forests,
Among the leaves that palpitate forever
Here you see fertile valleys, where cereals
and fruits cheer the heart of man, while the
circling mountains shut out the rest of the
world from the vision. Here your eyes may
dwell upon beds of mountain flowers and
ferns Of endless hucs and variety while wild
roses and tendris from hanging vines greet
the vision in endless profusion, reminding
you Of veritable Arcadia.
Here are hills Of majestic beauty, streams
OF sparkling water gOrges echoing with the
roar of the torrent, cascades of tremendous
force, chasms Of wild, dreary fascination-in
fact, this is region of mountain grandeur
that will ever and anon tempt the prophetic
soul and yearning heart of man to mediate
over lifes iitful changes, and say in the Ian.
guage of the poet:
but let me often to these solitudcs
Retire, and in Thy presence rc-assurc
My feeble virtue"
DR.. Tamage, vino, with his family, spent
part of last winter in Ashevilie, when asked
what he thought of the country, replied!
If one is so constructed TO enjoy life and
fails To appreciate TIE su5lity al these
mountains delightful scenery. he VIII ~,dcly
have 10 appreciation -. nor u!lin|HCni Ia
the gior.cS ani henuii", Oh heaven
This IS high praise, b.;t not rAsfay !: H. t.
1t is indeed a salow and scnSolcSs 2nu! WHO
is not entranccd by the soft and helitfuI
scenery of Il land where tic genial climate of
winterlcss round OF years vii! r.warl your
every effort with The most bruntiul harvcstS
where The summers ere endless seasons of
refreshing brCeZeS and i,inl:ts Of cool and
heiitl,ful sEimhlr; where the winters arc
but bewitc!!ing contrasts 20 tie summers in
heightening and intcnsi!yins The delicious
pleasure in the fairest land the sun ever
blessed with its genial kiss.
description of the people whoi nhabit Il G
widest portion Of these mountass ms would 10
doubt be of interest to your readers, but
cannot at this time enter upon tic subject
more than to say that they are kind,
hospitable and generous to a fault In the
most humble cabin, away from the sounds of